Hopes high for Junior A Athletics
The St. Catharines WMKL Athletics may not be built to contend for a Minto Cup in 2023, but that doesn’t mean the A’s don’t have anything to play for this season.
On the contrary, the Athletics are in the second year of their rebuild and head coach Steve Toll is optimistic the club could turn some heads this year.
“You have to believe in each other. Who knows what can happen?” Toll said. “We win a couple here and there and we see everyone else in the league and maybe we have a shot at it.
“The guys have to trust the system (general manager) Jeff (Chcoski) and I put together. Realistically, the guys know where we are and it’s a system we put together. We’ve said we want to go for the Minto Cup next year and the year after so the boys know that.”
The A’s are coming off a 10-10 season last year and are in a position to build on that win total this time around.
“We don’t have a lot of 02s or 03s but with our compete level and with the guys we have on offence and defence, I think we’re going to be in every game,” Toll said. “It could go either way.
“The boys overachieved (last year) in my opinion early on and we got a lot of wins early when we needed then and hopefully it will be the same thing this year. Get some wins early, keep riding momentum, and see where it takes us.”
The A’s kicked off the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League regular season with a 10-7 road victory at Six Nations Monday.
Ethan Fisher paced the A’s with four goals while Jaden Patterson and Colton Armitage added two each. Singles came off the sticks of Christian Lefeuvre and Tye Steenhuis.
Oliver Vanyo was solid in goal, kicking out 38 shots for the win.
The club was without Zach Toll, Gavin Howard, Carson Robins, Adam Ross and Noah Snyder, who are all still away at school.
Toll feels the roster has good balance.
“I think defensively we’re right there,” Toll said. “I think we’re going to be very athletic. Defensively, we’re going to be very fast.
“It’s been exciting with the draft we were able to have and to make the moves we did and to see some of the guys to get one year older and more mature.”
Toll can’t wait to see what kind of numbers the likes of offensive stalwarts Keaton Zavitz and Tye Steenhuis can put up this season.
“We had guys like Zavvy who had breakout seasons last year. Now they are a year older and stronger. What are they going to do this year? Expectations are super high there,” he said.
The A’s appear set in net with Vanyo, a Governor Simcoe graduate who will attend Lindenwood University in St. Louis, and Tye Wilson, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound Oshawa native.
“Vanyo will be the starter but obviously he knows we brought a goalie in I coached my whole life and he’s athletically crazy,” Toll said. “I hope Olly runs with it, but if he doesn’t, obviously I’m not shy to put Wilson in. They are both great kids. Whatever goalie is playing well will play net.”
Jackson Webster will captain the team this season with Steenhuis, Zavitz, Cameron Pack and Mitch Armstrong acting as assistants.
Toll will be assisted by Ken Millin, Carter Zavitz, Ian Rubel, Rob Taylor and Nick Damude.
The A’s host Peterborough Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Canada Game Park in their home opener.
2023 Roster
Oliver Vanyo G
Ty Wilson G
Zackary Toll O
Ethan Fehr D
Christian Lefeuvre O
Cameron Pack D
Mitch Armstrong D
Tye Steenhuis O
Cameron Wheelans D
Keton Zavitz O, D, T
Ethan Fisher D,T
Adam Ross O
Gavin Howard O
Isaac Prantera D
Logan Fletcher D
Carson Robins O
Jackson Webster O
Zack Poirier D,T
Noah Snyder O
Carter Accursi O
Julian Race D,T
Jacob Rawson D
Davis Longlade D
Carter Geoffroy D
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